Disclaimer: Opens mouth. Closes mouth. Tears come to author's eyes.( Were sorry but this author is experiencing technical diffi...)...Oh shut up I don't own it ok...T_T...although if you see a Sesshomaru for rent...^_^...happy thoughts. Ahhh...

Flashback

" Mother? Mother?! Where are you moth- oh there you are. Won't you come outside today mother. You need to tend to your roses, they're dying. The fresh air will make you feel better. Please..." The pitter-patter of feet belonging to a much younger Sesshomaru reached the young woman's ears.

" My son...I don't think...yes, let's go to my garden. I need to speak with you." Sesshomaru nodded and followed his mother out of the intricately carved, wooden doors. She hadn't gotten out of bed in weeks and he was very worried about her.

The smell of rotting plants reached both Inu's noses. He watched as a frown marred his mother's graceful features. She knelt down beside one of her bushes and almost fell. He rushed to her side and caught her then set her down gently.

" I am only growing weaker..." She uttered to herself. " Come, sit with me Sesshomaru." The much less graceful child plopped down beside his mother and watched as her eyes saddened.

" Do you see these roses Sesshomaru?" At his nod she continued." Several years ago I plantedt the seeds and watched as the green vines grew into small buds then into beautiful flowers. Although they are beautiful they have there rough parts, just like anything beautiful. Once in full bloom they require much care. You must make sure nothing crushes them and no harsh winds carries them away. You have to water them and tend to them daily. Like any other poorly taken care of thing the flowers have wilted and rotted. You see my son, I am the rose. Your father sprinkled me with promises and mated me but, like with the roses, with decision comes responsibility and commitment. With your father's mating of the human princess, he had neglected his duties and let me wilt. Soon, I will rot, just like a sunless rose." She saw the tears well up in his eyes as he began to understand.

" I love you Sesshomaru. I want to tell you something. I hope you can understand my metaphors..." He nodded through his silent sobs and she started with a new line of direction. She turned her head the now setting sun and the moon that was just beginning to appear.

" You see the sunset?" He nodded." Each day the sun goes down and the moon comes out. Do you know why?" He shok his head no." Well the moon chases the sun. The moon is cold and uncaring and it unknowingly desires the suns warmth and loving heart. So each night the moon peeks it's head out of the clouds only to greet the sun that it refuses to show it's feelings for. Until one day they cross paths and the moon feels the directness of the sun's caring spirit. They part ways but are unable to stay away rom the other. So each night the moon chases the sun still unknowingly hoping to experience it's rays of love once again. Destined to unite they eventually discover their need for each other, caught in the push and pull of fate. They balance the other you see. Without one there could not be the other and if that were to happen one side would gain control throwing the world's balance off. So existing as the others half they are destined to come together and unite as one. First though, the moon must look towards the horizon to find his sun. You'll do that for me won't you, love. Yes, you will find your sun. You just have yet to look towards the horizon...:Forgive me I am feeling faint. I must go inside. I love you..." She never even stood before she fainted. He managed to catch her and screamed for a healer. Several soon came and took her away. Sesshomaru never saw his mother alive after that. He was only able to bid her non-breathing body goodbye before her beautiful face was hidden from the world. Sesshomaru mourned in their garden for weeks only clutching the crescent necklace that had once belonged to his mother. He sat for days simply wishing for the fading scent of her in the garden to return. After two weeks he sat in the garden looking toward the setting sun that was soon replaced by the moon. It was full tonight and shone sadly in the sky. It started to rain. He cried that night. He shed his last tear as he stood, unknowingly showered by the tears of the mistress of the moon, his mother.

End Flashback

I watched his expressions. They changed a lot. Right now he was looking sad and shattered. Time stopped in this moment. I saw the liquid build in the corner of his eye and fall slowly down his smooth pale cheek. I couldn't believe it though. It was so unnatural. It felt sacred, like I should turn my head away. I felt unworthy to see it.

It was this frozen moment that I hated my weakness. The fact that I couldn't truly hate anything. Without my thinking I reached up to his cheek and and wiped the tear away. I wish I could freeze it so I could prove it existed. My eyes went up to his face. Still torn. He was so tall! He had to be close to seven feet tall. I felt small, but still I encircled his much larger frame in my arms. I was hugging the great Lord of the Western lands. He seemed to not even notice. I raised my hand to his head and stroked it gently. I knew his emotions had taken over him for the moment( that alone was unbelievable) but I still felt relieved when his long arm wrapped around my shoulders. I hadn't the slightest idea of what to say.

" Shhhh, it's okay Sesshomaru. I'm here, it's okay." He was shaking as if crying but no tears fell. Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew he would kill me for seeing him in this vulnerable state. My compassion would be my downfall. I'd heard that too many times before. I stroked his hair. It was so soft. He eventually stopped shaking and I looked up into his eyes. I saw...anger maybe, determination, depression, like the eyes of an abandoned child. The eyes if a child that belonged to a very stoic and regal demon Lord.

He held me closer for half a second and then roughly pushed me back. I landed on my bottom but didn't bother getting up. He was too fast, I would die anyway. He picked up his sword and had it at my throat in one fluid motion.

" You will die," he stated simply. In this moment I didn't care. I had, had more than my share of experiences in my short nineteen years.

" I know," I whispered but knew he would hear. He looked bewildered. Well, in his eyes at least. I pitied him. Inside of this cold demon were memories of a lonely child. Lost in my thoughts, his voice startled me.

"You would die for your friends, for their safety and to," he hesitated," comfort me? You could have ran away and escaped death. You didn't, why?" How was I supposed to explain what I didn't understand to him?

" I'm not sure." It was true. He stared at me for a moment when he seemed to realize something.

" You said this Sesshomaru's name. You...you are Inuyasha's wench. You are the miko that threatened my life and escaped death by my hands several times. You of all humans had to be the on to...comfort this Sesshomaru. You do know you will die." My heart jumped up to my throat. He knew!

" Let them live, don't hurt them. Make that my dying wish, please! " Unshed tears burned the rims of my eyes.

" I will not harm them, on my honor." Strangely I trusted him. Something hit me.

" I am not Inuyasha's and I'm not a wench." He looked at me curiously.

" Uncover your scent." It didn't really matter now so I did as he said. " You smell of jasmine and vanilla. They are mostly faded because of his scent." He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

" I treat him as a friend and on this past occasion, a healer. Nothing more. He loves another." He nodded, his eyes thoughtful. He raised his sword and I knew it was time.

" Before you kill me, please, tell me, what upset your memories? You don't have to but my soul would rest easy if you did." Guessing that it didn't matter he went on.

" You spoke the words that my deceased mother once spoke to me. The words were her last. She died because my father left her for Inuyasha's human mother. It endangered her through the mating bond and because her love for my father were so strong it killed her. That is also why I loathe Inuyasha if you must know." I looked at him a moment. His eyes were so cold and hardened that they looked like ugly yellow stones instead of the brilliant liquid gold that I knew they could and should be. Anything I could have said was stuck in lumps of air in my throat. I tired to force them out, these words that I felt the need to speak. Finally, with a near sob, the words found their way from my lips.

" I'm sorry, really. Losing your mother must have been hard, and you were so young. I lost my father when I was a little girl. It was a human disease from my...where I live. His last words that barely escaped in his last breath were of his love for me. I was eight and a half. I cried for days, even weeks after that. I eventually realized that my father wouldn't want me to cry so I made myself a promise. I would only cry at the beauty of things instead of the sad things in life. I've kept that promise. I cry when a baby is born and when I see a little bird fly from it's nest for the first time. I don't cry when Inuyasha goes to Kikyo or when he claims he doesn't need or want me around. Instead I think of all the things I live for. When you think like that, that's when you will get some value out of life. That's when each sunrise is beautiful no matter how many times you see one. It's what makes each breath worth while, to know that there is more, to know that no matter what the sun will rise no matter what is happening underneath it. The sunset makes me sad but it brings hope. With each sunset comes the moon and the moon, to me, represents the hope of an even more beautiful sunrise." I looked straight into his eyes and I felt the tears prickle my eyes. I guess my life was good. I had friends and family, love, hope, and joy. Yes, I will let my tears fall because all life, no matter how spent, is beautiful. My life was beautiful...

" I'm ready now. Make it quick..." I felt his sword rip through my heart and with everything I had left I stepped towards him, his blade still pertruding from my chest. I raised my hand to his cheek. He flinched. All life was beautiful...even his.

" I'm not sure," I paused allowing the pain to take it's course," if you will feel any guilt after this...but...if you do....It's ok. I forgive you." My eyes rolled back and I collapsed allowing the beautiful world to fade into the never ending dark abyss.

~~~~~~~~~Sesshomaru's point of view ~~~~~~~~~~~~

I saw her eyes roll back into her head and then her body begin to fall to the earth for the last time. I didn't really think about it as I caught her before she could hit and set her down on the cold ground. She...well her body lay there. Her ebony locks flowed around her, not unlike the steadily growing rose of blood on her chest that was puddling around her body. Her cheeks, once rosy red, were now ghostly pale. Her body had long since grown cold. Her words echoed through my head. She was different, I knew that. Her compassion was her downfall. She was a fool. A wise fool. A wise, respectable fool. Somewhere in her words I found wisdom. She spoke with the words of one who was far beyond her years. She had somehow been able to see the world with a different perspective. She had been able to overlook the bad things in life and see only what was worth seeing. Somehow I had found a sort of respect for her because of that.

The wind stirred and casually tossed her lifeless, ebony locks in the wind. I was at a loss at what to do to her body. I could bury her but I refused to bury a human. Even if I respected her. I could burn her body but it just seemed too normal for such a strange human. I wish she had ran when she had the chance. I really didn't want to kill her but I could NOT let her go free with the secret of my weakness. Even if I was certain she wouldn't tell...

I stiffened at that thought and turned away. I would simply leave her. I walked away. Just like that I walked through the trees until I was...mere feet away from her body. That's when it happened. Tensaiga pulsed, three long and definitely noticeable pulses. I was all too firmiliar with this procedure. I decided to test my theory and went to stand over the girl who had so firmly captured my attention. To my horror, but not surprise, the pulsing was reduced to a dull throb. It wanted me to bring the girl back...

I was not foolish. That was exactly what it wanted, to bring this little slip of a girl back to the land of the living. This was exactly what happened with Rin. I wanted to walk away, to never have to deal with this little nuisance again. Even more so though, I wanted to bring back this human that seemed to prove me wrong when I thought I had her figured out. I could not deny that she had proved her worth in this world. She had responsibilities that only she could fulfill. I knew that she had family and friends. I knew that she, as loving and compassionate a creature as she was, would be missed by more than select few. Was she worthy though; for the return of her life? Could I really trust her with my secret? I turned to walk away again. I didn't want to get involved in this onna's life.

Do Not Leave The Miko! Glorious! Now I have to deal with my beast!

Go away, you are not needed. As if his beast had ever listened.

Bring the onna back with your sword! Oh how he hated this part of himself.

I can't just trust her after the way I displayed myself. Think of all the things she could tell my enemies! A low growl escaped his throat. Of course a human would do that!

Fool! She all but willingly gave her life because of her loyalty to her friends and you are calling her dishonorable! Do not let your pride block your common sense. If you are so unsure of her intentions then why don't you make a deal, a trade? Make it so that she cannot refuse it. Make it so that she would lose more than gain if she were to betray you, It is obvious that she would not do that though. Do you not see her lifeless form before your very eyes? She didn't even put up a resistance! You even deny your instincts! Bring her back,now.

Why do you even care? She is only a silly onna, and human at that! I thought the one thing we could agree on was our loathing for all things human!

Sigh. Look, that is for me to know and for you to find out. She is...different. She has...certain tasks that she must complete. If you do not bring her back then I will take control.I looked down at the girls still form. I knew a deal that we could make. Was she worth it? I don't think so. She is a human miko that travels with my half-brother. Aside from Inuyasha, she should be the being I loath most in this world. I pull a piece of parchment from my haori anyway.

I will bring the girl back. Now, leave me be. I felt the absence of my beast and had I been anyone but who I was, I would have sighed at the relief. I found my brush and ink that all nobles carried with them in the case of emergency documents and unfolded the piece of parchment. I made my words short but she would understand. In the back of my mind I wondered how she had come to read. It was very rare for a woman to be able to read and write but I had seen her do it. It was just another strange quality of hers. I wrapped her small and cold hand around the parchment. I could see the slaves of the underworld come to take her soul away. With a swipe of my sword they faded. I let the mist of my youkai cloud form under my feet and I hid just out of her sight. Well, what would be her sight when she woke. I saw her hand twitch...

`````````````````````````Kagome's point of view~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My first thought was that it was dark. Then I thought that I shouldn't be thinking at all. This place...I knew this place. I felt like I was...floating? No, not floating. I felt...nothing. I simply existed here, in this realm. I couldn't feel anything. I couldn't remember anything. It was as if I was numb, but then I would know if I was numb. Once again I found that the only word that could describe this was...nothing. I knew that I shouldn't like this place. I knew I should want to leave. But I could only...exist.

Then there was a pull. It was so strong. I knew I shouldn't want to go. I felt the need to resist, so I did. I tried to stay in this state of nothingness, but this pull...it wanted me. I shouldn't want it. Then it stopped. There was suddenly light again. I could feel my own body. I could feel the backwards flow of blood in my veins. I felt my skin pull itself together. My hand twitched and I felt something kind of rough and thick. I blinked. I suddenly felt very heavy compared to the nothingness. What was this...parchment? Oh...wait...did he?...OH!...Sesshomaru!

I jolted upright and gasped. Memories suddenly flooded back and drown me. He had killed me...but...I was alive? My hand instinctively flew to my chest where only moments ago his sword had been. Oh, I get it; his sword. Tensaiga, he...he had brought me back. My head was spinning. Why would he...but I knew his...I drew a blank. Suddenly remembering the parchment in my hand, I opened it. There were only a few words but the elegant script was undeniably his. There they were, these words that could mean so many things...

At dawn,where the cherry blossoms fall. Tell no one.

I looked at them for a moment longer. I knew what they meant at least, but what did this mean for me? Would he simply bring me back to life only to kill me again? No, Sesshomaru doesn't play games. What did he want. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up alerting me to another presense. I had a good idea of who it was. He was watching me. I remembered what I'd told him and what he'd done. How could I hold no fear of the demon that had just taken my life. I should.

" Thank you Lord Sesshomaru. I will come and I won't tell a soul." I heard a brief shuffle of clothing and that was all. I knew he was gone. So, he had brought me back to life...after he'd killed me. So confusing was the cold hearted lord. Perhaps, just maybe, there was more to him. I covered my scent, or Sesshomaru's rather, and started the long journey of finding my camp. I knew I had a long night ahead of me. I would be grumpy and tired tomorrow, but that didn't matter. I had a secret. I looked up at the moon shining brightly in the sky and smiled. Yes, quite a secret.

Kagome smiled at the moon for just a few seconds longer. What she didn't know was that it was smiling back...

AN: OK, I will not freak out. I am cool, calm, and co...I GOT A REVIEW! ( Author is hunched creepily over monitor breathing heavily) Yes...well...ahem. You see this was my first review. I promise you that my heart skipped a beat when I saw it. I have never been closer to fainting when I read it though. It was nice...very nice. I will not name this person but I love her. She is my favorite person now. She asked what he saw after her speech. Instead of responding I wrote this chapter. Can you believe that someone liked my story. I couldn't...0_o. Maybe you can though. Do you like it. Lemme know. Reviews are fuel.( I never thought that was true until I got my first one. It might be dorky but, eh , what can I say. I'm a . If I get an adrenaline rush from a review then so be it.) Later!